Italy Targets Distracted Pedestrians in New Highway Code

Italy's updated highway code will target pedestrians who stare at their mobile phones while crossing the road, as the country's transport ministry strives to improve road safety, the Guardian reported on Monday. The draft rules follow several court rulings that assigned blame for road accidents to careless pedestrians, marking a shift in how responsibility is apportioned between drivers and those on foot.

The move comes as Italian cities and towns grapple with the everyday reality of distracted walking, a phenomenon that has grown with smartphone use. Under the proposed code, pedestrians crossing while using their phones could face fines, a measure designed to discourage behaviour that authorities say contributes to avoidable collisions.